From magical soirées under the stars to Dubai’s hottest new luxury address to unique Michelin-star twists on Arabic fare, here are five unique places to try for iftar as the sun sets this Ramadan.
The Lana Dubai
The Lana Dubai is the Dorchester Collection’s eagerly-awaited debut hotel in the Middle East, and in a city that loves to go hard or go home, it is a rare example of quiet luxury at its very best. Gilles & Boissier-designed interiors in the form of floor-to-ceiling marble in muted hues and walls adorned with museum-worthy modern artworks set the tone for an evening of delectable dining. Hosted in the hotel’s spectacular ballroom, which overlooks a fleet of private yachts quietly bobbing in Marasi Bay Marina, this is no ordinary iftar buffet.
Marasi Dr, Business Bay, Dubai -
A unique culinary journey has been carefully curated by Executive Chef Oliver Jackson, made up of excellently executed hot and cold mezze, a wide variety of fresh-from-the-sea seafood, Grade A sushi, smoked meats, and cooked-to-order BBQ offerings – to name but a few. But the cherry on this iftar’s top is the addition of gastronomic masterpieces from The Lana’s Michelin-starred chefs, including select dishes from Riviera by Jean Imbert and Jara by Martín Berasategui, giving you a chance to sample the best of the hotel's fare in one go.
Park Hyatt Dubai
Suppose five-star fare surrounded by the beauty of nature is more your mood this Ramadan, then head to the Park Hyatt Dubai, where you can dine under the stars surrounded by beautiful blooms and enchanting Arabian-inspired décor in an iftar hosted in its luscious Palm Garden. This well-loved iftar has become somewhat of a Ramadan institution over the years. The tranquil creek-side setting and excellent food make it a firm favourite for breaking fast and peacefully – and in style.
Dubai Creek Club St, Port Saeed, Dubai
Grilled meats, an impressive selection of fresh seafood including oysters, caviar, and lobster, and traditional Arabic dishes made up of the finest seasonal ingredients – this is one to gravitate towards if you’re looking to make the most of the cooler evening weather whilst you still can.
Al Hadheerah
You haven’t properly celebrated Ramadan in Dubai if you’ve not experienced an iftar at Bab Al Shams’ Al Hadheerah restaurant, which combines theatrical Arabic entertainment with spectacular food, making it indeed a night to remember. The open-air eatery is nestled among Dubai’s golden dunes, where tanoura dancers, traditional oud players, falconers, and even horse riders will envelop you in the spirit of Ramadan whilst you dine on regional delicacies under the starlit sky.
Al Qudra Rd, Dubai
But don’t let the bells and whistles distract you from the excellent food. This iftar spread offers a diverse array of excellent international and Arabic dishes, with the lamb and rice dish ouzi, cooked the traditional way underground, being one of our highlights. It’s some of the best you’ll find in Dubai and well worth the 45-minute drive out of the city.
The Guild
Creative culinary hotspot The Guild, located at the base of DIFC’s ICD Brookfield Place, is the brainchild of chef Tom Arnel (from Tom & Serg, Hawkerboi, Byron Bathers Club, and Sum of Us). It is currently ripping up the rule book when it comes to restaurants. The 200,000-square-foot, free-flowing space is split up into several venues under one roof, and two of them are hosting iftar this Ramadan.
ICD Brookfield Pl, DIFC, Dubai
Head to the rockpool, where diners are seated around a living rock pool home to lobsters, crabs, and oysters, or the salon, a vast dining room with white-clothed tables under crystal chandeliers. Instead of a traditional buffet, both offer a four-course menu featuring an edit of the restaurant’s big hitters, all European-inspired with modern Arabic touches. The porcini mushroom velouté served with aged parmesan, pearl barley soup, spiced chicken wings, roasted tomato flatbread with bocconcini and aged balsamic vinegar, and spiced lamb shoulder with smoked aubergine puree and chimichurri are all very good. Save space for dessert – you won’t want to miss the saffron milk cake with vanilla cream or date toffee tiramisu with Khidri dates and toffee sauce.
Atlantis, The Palm
Ramadan is a time of connection and gathering, so assemble your nearest and dearest and head to one of Dubai’s most extravagant Ramadan tents at Atlantis, The Palm. Their elaborate asateer tent is one of the city’s most legendary places to celebrate, with 120 dining tables hosting up to 1,400 guests every night. If you want to dine like a king, book either the royal majlis or one of the four VIP Majlis areas overlooking the Arabian Sea – everything about this iftar is spectacular, regardless of where you are seated.
Crescent Rd, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Enchanting live oud and vocal performances accompany an impressive buffet that boasts a fusion of Arabian, Khaleeji, Persian, and Turkish dishes. The live Arabic sweet-making station will satiate the sweetest tooth, whilst the array of traditional Arabic desserts, including kunafa, osmaliya with ashta, and ice cream, are also worth saving room for.
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